Dick Grayson Casting Thread

[Eddie Dean]

So true

 

[Airwings]

So true

It's still possible to support him

 

[Airwings]

Who can make the sidekick interesting in Reeves-verse?
There’s no other way to bring up a bunch of names than doing a list

Here are actors who are, at least, in the right age for Dick Grayson, both a teenage and a child version. There’s a variety in the different names. They can’t be compared to each other, except them being possible candidates for the role.

I will start by leaning towards the older guys who are 17/18 today and will be about 21 IF Grayson is introduced in a sequel 2025, still a couple of years younger than O’Donnell in his Robin debut. Totally a good thing, imo.

Noah Schnapp, Gabriel Bateman, Bryce Gheisar, Oakes Fegley
Mace Coronel, Jude Collie, Rohan Chand, Jake Schur
William Franklyn-Miller, Ferdia Shaw, Louis Ashbourne Serkis
Logan Allen, Ricardo Ortiz, Max Fincham
Taj Cross, Dylan Kingwell, Alexander Elliot

For the posters that prefer the sidekick younger, perhaps starting out as 14-15 years old (for a 2025 film), here are some younger actors born 2010-11
Azhy Robertson, Jude Hill, Daniel Ranieri, Sasha Knight, Julian Hilliard

I'll give my opinions later

 

[shauner111]

So true

lmfao Eddie

 

[shauner111]

Thanks.
I'm greatful for your reply. If it was possible to click on the like button more than once, I would have done that

Dick Grayson has potential to be a first-rate cbm character despite being only a sidekick.
Reeves might be the first film director in a long time who's dared to make use of the Boy Wonder in a Batman adventure. It's almost surreal to think of. Let's hope it happens.

How will the character be written? Is Reeves going to please the hardcore fans or could he be trying to give Robin a new generation of fanboys?
What can make Grayson work for today's audience? The same question regarding the sidekick also goes for the fictional Bat-world that Reeves has created..

The other part of the path to make Robin awesome is to cast him with just the right name. The actor will be the face of the character for a long time, even years after he left the role.
Let's hope he goes the Connery route so that he can still be doing notable films in the future after playing the biggest role of his career lol.

I have questions for you @shauner111
What's best - going for one of the most talented young actors out there.... or picking someone who's able to play Robin the way he's written in the script?
Those two alternatives don't always match. However, someone with great talent can play many different roles.
What do you personally think about this? How can Reeves's choice of actor make even you to be intrigued about seeing the character in action?

Find a young actor who is really talented and comes out of nowhere. Hold many auditions. If a known kid knocks it out of the park in the audition room, then the role should be given to him. But I’d fill the list up with mostly unknowns. Don’t just give the character to an actor. Audition, do a chemistry test with Rob. We won’t be privy to any of it. A kid could come into the room with a great audition for the lines on the page but he has zero chemistry with Robert. It happens. They have to really nail the casting down with this one and I trust Reeves to make sure the casting is right (if he chooses to move forward with Richard Grayson).

 

[Airwings]

Noah Schnapp, Gabriel Bateman, Bryce Gheisar, Oakes Fegley
Mace Coronel, Jude Collie, Rohan Chand, Jake Schur
William Franklyn-Miller, Ferdia Shaw, Louis Ashbourne Serkis
Logan Allen, Ricardo Ortiz, Max Fincham
Taj Cross, Dylan Kingwell, Alexander Elliot

You might think I would want all of these people as Dick Grayson. That’s not the case. I don’t really care for half of them. I listed by birth year and wanted you go have a great deal of different choices to pick from.
My main suggestion here are Schnapp, Bateman, Gheisar and Kingwell. The classic Robin types. Perhaps TOO classic for Reeves-verse.
In that case, I’ll give my approval of Jude Collie (currently on the Pandemonium series) and Fegley as somewhat more untraditional choices for the part.
Alexander is a wild card too. You may know him from the latest adaption of Hardy Boys

Azhy Robertson, Jude Hill, Daniel Ranieri, Sasha Knight, Julian Hilliard

Azhy is the obvious one no doubt. If Dick Grayson is introduced as a child in Reeves-verse, I’ll definitely support him for the role.

As a sidenote, I saw Branagh’s Belfast this weekend. Jude Hill is quite good in the lead.
He could follow in the footsteps of Roman Griffin Davis.
The thing that speaks against him is the fact he doesn’t give off any Grayson vibes at all. It’s not that he’s a total newcomer but his whole persona. I highly doubt he ever will fit the role of Batman’s sidekick. Not all talented young actors do.
In Jude’s case, I think he needs to be kept out of the Hollywood machinery. No Robin, no CBMs and other kind of spectacle blockbusters. It would be best for him to not be americanized in the slightest

 

[Crashorama]

My biggest problem with the introduction of Robin is how do you justify, in Reeves world of "hyper-realism," the idea of throwing a child into gunfire, serial killers and all the evil that Batman combats on a daily basis. This is a young version of Batman, so any potential Robin would have to be pretty young as well. How would Gordon react the first he sees a 13 year old out there in harms way? Dick Grayson is my favorite member of the "Bat-Family," but the whole thing could be tricky....IMO.

 

[Lautox]

They should name him Ricardo Tapia, that's how we call him here in Latinamerica haha. It's the translation.

 

[Airwings]

Find a young actor who is really talented and comes out of nowhere. Hold many auditions. If a known kid knocks it out of the park in the audition room, then the role should be given to him. But I’d fill the list up with mostly unknowns. Don’t just give the character to an actor. Audition, do a chemistry test with Rob. We won’t be privy to any of it. A kid could come into the room with a great audition for the lines on the page but he has zero chemistry with Robert. It happens. They have to really nail the casting down with this one and I trust Reeves to make sure the casting is right (if he chooses to move forward with Richard Grayson).

It's true that the casting process needs to consist of several different parts.
One for basic talent, then script reading, then chemistry, then filmed screen tests which includes acting on cue etc.
In each round, many will not deliever what's expected of them. Even somebody who's usually a good actor. It's going to be only two or three left for the final audition

I agree that this is important. Maybe it even is more important than casting usually is?
Dick Grayson is actually going to be reintroduced as a cinematic character. Warner/Reeves can't really fail now, it's not even an option.

Known young actors have a bit of an advantage with certain things, like reading lines and moving in front of the camera. They have been doing this before.
An unknown has to be a natural raw talent in order to beat the experienced ones. Not only acting skills will play in, but also the ability to work alongside the rest of the cast (Pattinson and Serkis will have the most scenes with Grayson).
It must be another Woody Norman type. He managed to hold his own opposite Joaquin Phoenix and they worked really well together.

I've thrown out a lot of actor suggestions. There are dozens of names we haven't heard about (but maybe seen their work), and a number of faces we're already familiar with.
There is likely a Robin somewhere among them. Because I've listed a high percentage of all young actors.

 

[Airwings]

My biggest problem with the introduction of Robin is how do you justify, in Reeves world of "hyper-realism," the idea of throwing a child into gunfire, serial killers and all the evil that Batman combats on a daily basis. This is a young version of Batman, so any potential Robin would have to be pretty young as well. How would Gordon react the first he sees a 13 year old out there in harms way? Dick Grayson is my favorite member of the "Bat-Family," but the whole thing could be tricky....IMO.

I understand your worries
One way to go is to write Dick Grayson as older than 13. Why does he need to be that young? I know some people prefer that though.
It's not needed to adjust Robin's age so that it matches the timeline with a young Bruce.
Reeves can have a little freedom so it won't be so disturbing to bring the sidekick out on the streets.

Grayson as a young adult around 17/18 could be more suitable. 16 should be the lowest they go.
Then the guy playing him somewere between 18 and 21. There's a countless number of actors in that age span.

One important thing about the character is that he's youthful and visually much younger than Batman. In this specific case, Pattinson's version. If they succeed with that, and doesn't cast a clearly adult actor who's trying to act like a teen (O'Donnell), then it'll work
Doesn't have to be 13 for that.

They should name him Ricardo Tapia, that's how we call him here in Latinamerica haha. It's the translation.

What about a combination?
Ricardo Grayson?

 

[Airwings]

I thought of him because I saw Killing of a Sacred Deer a while ago and he had great chemistry with Colin and Barry. Also he is an actor who can play serious in dark tone films and be more light hearted in family friendly films like the christmas one he appeared on and that is basically Robin. Elliot Rose of the northman is a good choice also

Your main candidate was Sunny Suljic which we agree on
Then you mentioned Elliott Rose.
Here's something I want to add:

I’ve just seen Northman in a local cinema. What a violent film! Such darkness! Could easily have been called Grittyman instead.
Elliott was pretty good in some of his scenes. I think he could be a decent Dick Grayson.
There was another young actor in the cast too and he impressed me even more. Don't know his name yet. He played the young version of the main character.
During his scenes I felt I should raise from the seat and shout "there's Robin!, he's the chosen one" LOL
The kid even had a cape

It's quite surprising to find new suggestions for Grayson all the time. The number is increasing
I hope as many of them as possible will attend the audition for the character. It shouldn’t just be a few ones selected by Reeves and Warner, no!
Way more actors than just 5-10 need to try out. Doesn’t matter if they all fit the part or not. It’s for the sake of getting variety.
Let the best one win!

 

[Lautox]

Your main candidate was Sunny Suljic which we agree on
Then you mentioned Elliott Rose.
Here's something I want to add:

I’ve just seen Northman in a local cinema. What a violent film! Such darkness! Could easily have been called Grittyman instead.
Elliott was pretty good in some of his scenes. I think he could be a decent Dick Grayson.
There was one young actor in the cast too and he impressed me even more. Don't know his name yet. He played the young version of the main character.
During his scenes I felt I should raise from the seat and shout "there's Robin!, he's the chosen one" LOL
The kid even had a cape

It's quite surprising to find new suggestions for Grayson all the time. The number is increasing
I hope as many of them as possible will attend the audition for the character. It shouldn’t just be a few ones selected by Reeves and Warner, no!
Way more actors than just 5-10 need to try out. Doesn’t matter if they all fit the part or not. It’s for the sake of getting variety.
Let the best one win!

That kid who plays young Amleth (Alex Skarsgard's character) is actually Young Bruce in The Batman. His name is Oscar Novak.

 

[Airwings]

That kid who plays young Amleth (Alex Skarsgard's character) is actually Young Bruce in The Batman. His name is Oscar Novak.

Oh no, I'm a failure. I didn't recognize him.
Now I've found a great one and he can't even be Grayson. Such fail!!!

I might as well suggest another young Bruce Wayne then. The one from Joker which doesn't take place in the same universe.
Dante Pereira-Olson for Robin!!!
(I'll try to come up with better ones in a while)

Could you let me know when you've seen Northman so we can discuss Elliott Rose, please?
If you want to

 

[Lautox]

Oh no, I'm a failure. I didn't recognize him.
Now I've found a great one and he can't even be Grayson. Such fail!!!

I might as well suggest another young Bruce Wayne then. The one from Joker which doesn't take place in the same universe.
Dante Pereira-Olson for Robin!!!

I'll try to come up with better ones in a while)

haha no worries

 

[Airwings]

haha no worries

It was more of a personal letdown since this Novak kid was very good and I actually believed he could be a possible Robin.
It's like thinking you have the winning lottery ticket, and then you don't.

I'll guess Elliott Rose will do, for now.

Keep me updated about Northman, please. I'll hope you are going to see it

 

[Airwings]

As long as he keeps Robin a kid. Not a teenager. Not a man. A kid. Something never before seen seriously in a live-action comic book movie (Kick-Ass was more parody). That would definitely differentiate it from any Batman movie right there or, really any superhero movie.

I revive your old post because this topic deserves to be discussed.

There are some concerns how Robin being that young can be explained within Reeves-verse. The tone in that fictional universe would make it questionable. How will they explain it?
Are the other adult characters going to mention that it's wrong for Batman to bring an actual child to fight villains and thugs?

What's the reason you want Dick Grayson to be younger than 13 and not in his teens?

Let's say you get your wish. What kind of actor do you prefer then? Should he have been in other films before, or be totally new to acting?

 

[Blade Hoarder]

I was reading dark victory the other night and the inclusion of Robin into Batman’s crime fighting life was bizarre and extreme even there. Even tho Tim Sale’s art is extremely exaggerated and comic booky. It still felt wrong.

 

[Airwings]

I was reading dark victory the other night and the inclusion of Robin into Batman’s crime fighting life was bizarre and extreme even there. Even tho Tim Sale’s art is extremely exaggerated and comic booky. It still felt wrong.

It's tricky.
Are they going to make Robin fit in next to Batman in live action again? This isn't Schumacher, but something very different
The character has to be written in a certain way, but how?
The casting plays in too.

 

[Airwings]

Is there a limit to how young Dick Grayson can be in live action?
Some recent posts have pointed out that it's hard to put the character in a cinematic world that's like the Reeves version.

In the other casting thread, The Lazarus Pit had Alan S Kim as his candidate for Dick Grayson.
(Where is he now, btw? Has he left SHH?)

Other child actors that age are James Quinn Markey and Asher Miles Fallica.
These three are born 2012-13. As of today, that's very very young!
But they will actually be between twelve and thirteen when the sequel comes.

It's possibly the youngest ones we can get. Atleast if it should be a kid who's played other roles before, and isn’t totally unexperienced in front of the camera (why would we want an unexperienced one anyway?)

I don't want Robin to be that young. It's more suitable with a somewhat older one.

 

[Airwings]

Let's look at candidates born 2005
As of today, these are very good in terms of age. Not too young or too old. None of them will have hit 20 during the filming of the sequel.

Sunny Suljic, Noah Jupe, Owen Vaccaro
Tom Sweet, Kale Culley, Ezra Dewey
Gregory Diaz IV, Maxwell Jenkins
Nathan Blair, Lucas Bond, Teo Briones
Lincoln Jolly, Kenta Asars

Ezra Dewey is a surprisingly talented actor for his age. He did a good performance in The Boy Behind The Door (an otherwise not that interesting film).
I've also recently seen a trailer for Djinn and he appears to be remarkable there as well.
It's not a disadvantage that he has the Grayson look either, if you know what I mean

I just hope the name "Ezra" isn't cursed, lol

 

[Airwings]

Sunny Suljic, Noah Jupe, Owen Vaccaro
Tom Sweet, Kale Culley, Ezra Dewey
Gregory Diaz IV, Maxwell Jenkins
Nathan Blair, Lucas Bond, Teo Briones
Lincoln Jolly, Kenta Asars

I won't only pick Noah Jupe as the most people here would do. I vote for him AND others too:
Suljic, Vaccaro, Dewey and Blair. More or less classic Graysons! Suljic will be the most edgy one ( Thank you, @Lautox ! )
Also with a nod to Tom Sweet as a left-field candidate who could totally be in line for the type of Robin we'll get from Reeves.

We shouldn't forget Gregory Diaz IV either, an interesting suggestion from @BobJM

 

[Lautox]

No problema my man

 

[Doc Samson]

IF they include Robin I just want it to make logical sense. The whole idea of Batman running around with a child (even when I was a child) never sat well with me. His costume (pretty much any iteration) I never cared for, and the fact that he would willingly subject anybody to that lifestyle was always strange. Obviously the time period Robin was introduced was a different tone, but from the 70s onward, it just flies in the face of what a responsible Batman with any sense would allow.

BUT, the scene with Alfred in the hospital was interesting to me, when almost losing Alfred let Bruce realize he wasn't immune to feeling that pain again that he experienced with his parents death. Adding Robin puts more of that humanity in him, and places that possibility of loss front and center.

I just want it to make sense for him to include someone in that horrible lifestyle. I would prefer it's someone that's already doing his own thing, a young man preferably, who was inspired, and he takes him under his proverbial wing so to speak. More of a Red Hood/Nightwing style vigilante as opposed to a Boy Wonder...

 

[shauner111]

And that’s why I like the origin of Dick Grayson, those early interactions with Bruce. But I don’t care for the Robin stuff. Yes, they could double down on the strict “you’re not working with me. Sorry Richard but it’s too dangerous. Under NO circumstances” with Dick eventually rebelling and going out anyway. Possibly even saving Batman in his first outing. But that only works if Grayson is like 16-ish. Even then, I still feel like Bruce should and could easily grab this kid and be like “nope! I don’t care, I’m sending you to an Orphanage out of the city if I catch you doing this again”. The fact that he’s willing to go with the sidekick vigilante thing after one rebellious act is...still strange.

 

[Airwings]

IF they include Robin I just want it to make logical sense. The whole idea of Batman running around with a child (even when I was a child) never sat well with me. His costume (pretty much any iteration) I never cared for, and the fact that he would willingly subject anybody to that lifestyle was always strange. Obviously the time period Robin was introduced was a different tone, but from the 70s onward, it just flies in the face of what a responsible Batman with any sense would allow.

BUT, the scene with Alfred in the hospital was interesting to me, when almost losing Alfred let Bruce realize he wasn't immune to feeling that pain again that he experienced with his parents death. Adding Robin puts more of that humanity in him, and places that possibility of loss front and center.

I just want it to make sense for him to include someone in that horrible lifestyle. I would prefer it's someone that's already doing his own thing, a young man preferably, who was inspired, and he takes him under his proverbial wing so to speak. More of a Red Hood/Nightwing style vigilante as opposed to a Boy Wonder...

I think it will be interesting if you discuss this with DarkKnight88.

They should skip Boy Wonder, you say.
And go for Nightwing right away?
Sorry but that's not a good idea. Dick Grayson always starts out as a young crime fighter, it's part of his arch.
Robin has to be there. There will never be any Nightwing without him.

It's weird that there still are people who don't think Robin can work in live action, despite we being in the middle of a CBM era.
Every character imaginable is being adapted. Why not Robin, then?